MLB Player News

Manager Kevin Cash announced Sunday that Pepiot will start Friday's season opener against the Rockies, Ryan Bass of FanDuel Sports Network Sun reports.

Shane McClanahan had previously been named Tampa Bay's Opening Day starter, but a triceps injury will put him on the injured list to begin the season. Pepiot is coming off his first full season as an MLB starter, and he pitched well in 26 starts with a 3.60 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 142:48 K:BB over 130 innings.

Moore has decided not to opt out of his contract and will begin the campaign at Triple-A Worcester, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

As a veteran on a minor-league contract with over six years of service time, Moore had the option to opt out of his deal and look for an opportunity elsewhere. However, the lefty reliever appears set to accept a spot on Boston's Triple-A roster to begin the 2025 campaign. Moore suffered a forearm injury last August that ended a rough campaign with the Angels during which he posted a 5.03 ERA and 1.34 WHIP over 48.1 innings. Moore didn't allow an earned run and posted a 2:2 K:BB over three innings this spring, and he'll be an option for a call-up when the Red Sox need reinforcements in their bullpen.

Hernandez will not make the Kansas City bullpen and is set to be put on outright waivers, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

He's out of minor-league options and is likely to be claimed by another team. While he had a 6.97 ERA this spring with a 8:5 K:BB ratio in 10.1 innings, another team may take a chance on his near 100-mph fastball.

Marsh (shoulder) is expected to begin the season on the injured list, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Marsh experienced tightness in his right shoulder during his offseason throwing program and has been eased back into action this spring. He recently threw in a minor league game, so he is making progress. However, there's no clear timetable for his return.

McArthur (elbow) is expected to begin the season on the injured list, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

McArthur underwent surgery in the offseason to address an olecranon fracture in his right elbow. He's been throwing this spring, but there's no timetable for his return. It may take several months before he's ready to pitch in a game.

Stewart (hamstring) will begin the season on the injured list as he builds up to be ready for the regular season, Bobby Nightengale of The Minnesota Star Tribune reports. He threw 20 pitches in a minor-league game Saturday.

Stewart departed his last Grapefruit League appearance March 15 with a left hamstring issue, but he's since returned to action, most recently throwing 20 pitches in a minor-league game Saturday. Due to the time he missed in camp, however, the Twins will proceed slowly with Stewart, who could be activated to make his 2025 debut at some point in the first half of April.

Strickland signed a minor-league deal with the Rangers on Saturday.

The Rangers released Strickland from his minor-league contract Friday, but he'll make a quick return to the club. He's likely to open the season with Triple-A Round Rock, though he had a 3.31 ERA and 1.09 WHIP to go along with a 57:24 K:BB across 73.1 innings with the Angels in 2024.

X-rays on Wesneski's left foot came back negative Saturday, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Wesneski took a comebacker off his foot during Thursday's contest, but he managed to come away from the incident with no significant damage. He's slated to throw a bullpen session Sunday, per Brian McTaggart of MLB.com, and the right-hander should be fine to make his next scheduled outing.

Manager Joe Espada confirmed Saturday that Ort (oblique) will begin the season on the injured list, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Ort has been out since mid-February dealing with a left oblique injury and is being brought along relatively slowly, as he only began throwing off a mound Thursday. Despite his slow progress, the Astros are still hopeful he'll be able to return before the end of April.

General manager Brian Cashman said Saturday that Beeter (shoulder) will be out "a while," Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News reports.

While Cashman's comments don't exactly offer the clearest return timeline, it doesn't seem like Beeter is expected back anytime soon. The right-hander has been battling an issue in his throwing shoulder since the start of camp and seemingly hasn't progressed past throwing bullpen sessions.